Orange County is nestled along the Southern California coast between Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The third largest populated county in California, the vibrancy of this nearly 800 square mile jewel places it as the thirtieth largest economy in the world. Orange County has 34 cities and 5 supervisory districts serving a population of more than 3 million people. A desirable place to live and work, Orange County is known for its ideal weather, recreation, and a wide range of cultural arts. Many of its public and private schools are ranked among the best in the nation. The county also has top rated attractions such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, pristine ocean beaches, and is the home of major league sports teams, including baseball's Angels and hockey's Ducks.

THE FIRE AUTHORITY

Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that serves approximately 1.8 million residents in a 575-square mile area, with 172,000 acres of wildland. The Orange County Fire Authority was formed on March 1, 1995, transitioning from the Orange County Fire Department to a JPA. The service area includes 23-member cities and the unincorporated areas of Orange County. A 25-member Board of Directors governs the OCFA and includes an elected official appointed to represent each of the member cities and two representatives from the County Board of Supervisors. The OCFA is managed by an appointed Fire Chief who reports directly to the Board of Directors. By pooling resources, the OCFA can purchase additional fire engines and specialized equipment that some cities could not afford on their own. The OCFA does not allocate equipment based on city boundaries. Instead, all members have access to resources, including sophisticated rescue equipment, specialized apparatus and helicopters.

The OCFA is the largest regional fire service organization in Orange County and one of the largest in California. The OCFA has a staff of approximately 1,350. Of those, 1,100 are professional firefighters and chief officers and 250 are non-sworn support staff working at the Regional Fire Operations and Training Center facility (RFOTC). These personnel provide front-line services, including prevention, education, dispatch, emergency response, and technical and administrative support. Additionally, OCFA Reserve Firefighters staff 9 stations throughout Orange County.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Director of Communications is an Executive Management position, reporting to the Fire Chief, and is responsible for creating and executing strategic public relations and communications programs for the Fire Chief, Executive Leadership, and the OCFA Board of Directors. The position will establish public relations standards, goals, priorities, operational plans, policies and procedures; create and maintain relations with news media through news releases, press conferences, briefings, interviews, media appearances, correspondence and reports; and supervise a Public Information Officer (Fire Captain) and Multi-Media personnel. The Director of Communications will also advise and guide the Fire Chief on public relations matters, proactively identify opportunities to communicate more effectively with internal and external stakeholders, organize communication activities to foster public understanding of Authority goals, policies, programs and services, and manage the Authority's community outreach and social media programs.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in executing public relations and communications programs, and possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. He/she will be a strong and collaborative leader of utmost integrity and honesty, and skilled at establishing trust and accountability with both internal and external stakeholders. The ideal Director of Communications will:
Be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, news media, staff, and elected officials
Provide guidance to staff and elected officials in media relations, public information policies and procedures, and preparation of speeches and letters
Demonstrate thorough knowledge of media operations, story placement and public agency marketing strategies used in both print and electronic media, as well as social media platforms and social media campaigns.

Please click on the following link to review the comprehensive class specification for this position, including all essential functions, knowledge and skills required, physical requirements, and working conditions: Director of Communications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (position requirements at entry):
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, public relations, political science, business, law or a related field, and six (6) years of progressively responsible professional level experience in journalism, public relations, or the media, which included the writing and placing of news releases or the writing of news and feature articles for various communication media, and providing information to the public in the capacity of an organization's public relations spokesperson.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience managing social media programs, serving a public safety agency in a public relations capacity, and working with elected officials, as well as proficiency in a language other than English.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS (position requirements at entry):
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License is required at time of appointment. This classification is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program, which periodically provides Risk Management with the incumbent's Driver License record and status.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To be considered for this position, please submit an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire via ocfa.org. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be accepted on a continuous basis with the first review date during the week of November 5, 2018. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. Online resumes and other unsolicited materials may be attached, but will not be considered in lieu of the required online application, unless otherwise specified in the job announcement.

Please consider applying early if you are new to the GovernmentJobs.com application system to ensure timely and successful navigation. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Human Resources Manager Tia Grasso at (714) 573-6835. For technical assistance with the application system, please contact GovernmentJobs.com Toll-Free Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627.

Selection Interviews: Tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 12, 2018 (alternate date during the weeks of November 12 or November 19 may be considered).

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation

In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, anyone who needs an ADA accommodation for the purposes of employment testing should contact the assigned recruiter upon opening of a recruitment.

Pre-Hire Requirements

Before an employee is hired, he/she must successfully complete pre-employment requirements including, but not limited to: fingerprinting and background check, reference check, DMV check, licensure/certification check, Oath of allegiance to the United States of America and the State of California, and proof of eligibility to work in the United States in accordance with Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986. All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam including a drug screen through the OCFA's designated physician.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Orange County Fire Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Note

The provisions of this publication do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision in this publication may be modified or revoked without notice.